Strawfoot
Preface By: Christine Dunleavy
Interview By: Ashlee Elfman

 

 

Strawfoot’s album, “Chasing Locusts”, will take you back to a time of sinners, lust, revenge, damnation and the Lord’s wrath; stories which will always ring true as long as human kind exists. They’ll make you want to dance with the devil himself, yet at the same time you’ll be repenting for your soul. Watch out for them as this is music you’ll not want to miss, but be damned sure you’ve brought a knife to save yourself and the bible to save your sinnin’ soul. And now for an interview with the ringleader of this outfit, Reverend Marcus.

So, what got you into country music to begin with?

It was a natural progression. I was raised on folk music. Musicians like Woody Guthrie, Lead Belly and Bob Dylan. They always played honest music, with traditional instruments. It always spoke to me. I pride myself in having an open mind to all kinds of music, I see the worth in anything that is true, anyone that is honest in what they write.

When I was in college, I was listening to a lot of Michael Franti and Spearhead, one of the best hip-hop acts in the history of time. They played a fantastic version of Wayfarin’ Stranger, it blew my freaking mind. At the time, it was the only version I had ever known. When I discovered this work of genius was an updated cover of a traditional song, I did some research. I wanted to know where it came from. When I heard Bill Monroe’s version, I was hooked. I was blown away by bluegrass and gospel. I found a lot of crossover from Leadbelly and Woody. From there, my tastes just kept expanding. There’s also the simple fact that in St. Louis, Uncle Tupelo is a mainstay. I was listening to them before I even knew what “country” was. Back then it was just music. Country was that horrible crap Nashville keeps pumping out. But now I know. That’s not country. It’s not true. It’s pop. It’s image. I liken it to fast food; It looks good, it’s easily obtainable, and to some it might even taste good, but sooner or later you’re going to crap it out and see it for what it really is: excrement.

What does "alt. country" music mean to you? Do you feel like it’s a tightly knit community?

The term alt.country has almost become a taboo to many in our genre. Much like the distaste bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam had for the term grunge. It really doesn’t bother me, though, it’s just a loose, recognizable word. A section in the record store aisles. Music is music is music. Alt. Country has kind of become an umbrella, there’s so many different variations. I feel we fall more into the “gothic-Americana” side of things, but again, that’s just another label. The community is great. We share a like-mindedness with a lot of great bands and fans from around the world, and thanks to the internet we’ve been able to come together, help each other out with shows, promotion and support. It’s a true extended family.

Can you tell us a bit about what St. Louis is like? Is it a good place for musicians to be right now?

I love St. Louis. Hell, I Iove Missouri. Home of the blues, the Ozark sound, and Mark Twain, a personal hero (and relative). Our scene is growing like a wildfire. The community of musicians and fans is tight. We support one another in so many ways. For instance, another great band in town, The Monads, are always around to lend a helping hand. When a member of Strawfoot is unavailable for a show, there’s a good chance you’ll see one of them picking up a banjo, washboard, or upright bass to keep the set tight. There’s nothing we wouldn’t do for our friends and it’s a 2-way street. We also get a lot of support from the venues, and our local radio station 88.1, KDHX. It’s heart warming, to say the very least.

I recently watched a video in which you play "The Sky Is Falling" with the spastic, yodeling, banjo playing Curtis Eller. What’s the relationship there, other than a love for old-timey Americana music? Can we expect more collaborations in the future?

Curtis Eller--a true Prince among men. I’m so proud to call him a friend. That particular song is very meaningful to me, I wrote it for a friend who’s been fighting cancer. I wrote it to give her strength; I wrote it to give me strength. When Brother Curtis asked if he could sit in on that song when we played at KOPN in Columbia, MO, it was a highlight of my career. I have so much respect for him, and I’m proud to say it’s a mutual respect. We keep in touch, our banjo player (Brother Bauer) is now playing the banjo Curtis’ father gave to him as a kid. I’d like nothing more than to collaborate with Curtis in the future. We’re working on a new song, “More of Dread”, with lyrics written by Abe Lincoln. Curtis and I both have a passion for American history, and it’s darker side. Could be the perfect song. If you are reading this, brother, give a holler.

The alt. country, gothic Americana, roots (whatever you want to call it) scene seems to be teeming with reverends. Are you ordained, or are you just a reverend at heart?

I’m legal. Licensed to marry and bury, just like my father before me. I can also absolve sins, and as I like to say, salvation is for sinners, so step right up.

I hear a lot of traditional instruments in your music, what does everyone play in the band?

You’ll have to allow me a moment to gush about my band. They mean the world to me. I consider them family before bandmates. Never in my life have I experienced this level of chemistry with a group of people. I can’t imagine going any further without a single one of them.
Roll Call:
On the Banjo, backing vox and god knows what else, Brother Bauer. He’s the perfect yin to my yang. He makes me sound good, even when I don’t.
On guitar, one of my best friends for the better part of 15 years, Brother Steve. He’s been in every musical venture I’ve ever been a part of. I can’t imagine doing it without him.
On upright bass, our voice of reason, Brother Eric. This cat brings so much skill and experience to our sound. He also keeps us in line, no small task with seven drunks, er I mean musicians.
On harmonica, Mississippi Nate. He’s perhaps the nicest guy on the face of the earth, and an incredible talent. In my opinion, one of the best harp players in town. We play some weird tunes, and he nails them all, minors or majors, he nails it.
We also have the very lovely and very talented Sister Jen playing violin. She adds class to our crass, and quite often keeps me sane. We like to call her our ringer.
Rounding out the lineup is one of the best percussionists I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. He has been an anchor for me over the years, Brother Blaine.
And then there’s me, the creepy ole angry preacher singing and playing mandolin.

I’ve been reading all sorts of reviews about your album "Chasing Locusts", and it seems that everyone mentions how "dark" your music is. However, there seems to be a great reverence for folk country as entertainment, something to dance and have a good time to. How would you define the music that Strawfoot makes?

Make no mistake, we’ve all got our demons. We have to be true to ourselves and our fans. We also have a damned good time playing, and love to see our fans shaking their tailfeathers. I really feel we have a nice balance to our sound. We come out of the Midwest, and there’s a lot of influence that seeps into our music, some up some down. Our lyrics often paint an ominous portrait of the world in which we live. Songs of damnation and murder, temptation and what-not. But we’re not so singular that we can’t light a fire under folks’ britches.

Do you have any plans to tour soon and promote the new album?

Little by little we’re getting out of dodge. We’re really hoping to get down to Denton, up to Denver, out to California. We’ll see where the year takes us.

Are there any current musicians you would like to play with?
Hell yes. There are so many like-minded bands out there we’re just itchin’ to share a stage with (and a few bottles of bourbon) To name just a few, Slim Cessna, The Shack Shakers, William Elliott Whitmore, Woven Hand. Currently, we’re fixing to play with the Hackensaw Boys and the Hellblinki Sextet, and I can’t wait. We’ve had the pleasure of playing with some greats already, like Curtis Eller, Reverend Glasseye, Pinebox Serenade, HUMANWINE, Two-Cow Garage, and the Meat Purveyors. Not to mention the whole slew of talented bands from our hometown like, Bad Folk, The Monads, Rats and People, Maid*Rite, Hobo Alliance, Bearded Babies and a shit-ton more. Look them all up, you’ll thank me.

Do you feel that the internet is only an asset to musicians and artists?

Absolutely. I’m not just a musician, I’m also a fan. The internet wouldn’t amount to a pile of crap to musicians if there weren’t fans out there listening and learning about us. I can’t tell you how many great bands I’ve discovered from websites like Sepiachord and Myspace.

Are we all sinners in the hands of an angry God?

Depends on your opinion of God. Is he angry? Faith is such a personal thing, I can’t nor won’t begin to preach my beliefs, because they are solely mine, just as yours are solely yours. I will reiterate that salvation was made fer sinners, and ours is candy-coated.

The name Strawfoot seems to be a nod to 16 Horsepower. Could you tell us how you came to name the band Strawfoot?

I’m a big fan of David Eugene Edwards and 16 Horsepower. They paved the way for folks like us. While I initially heard the term “strawfoot” via one of his songs, we chose the name because of its historical definition. During the Civil War, many soldiers didn’t know their left from their right. To teach them to march, hay was tied to their left foot, straw to their right. Rather than calling out “Left, Right, Left,” Soldiers marched to the cadence of “Hayfoot, Strawfoot”. It acts as a metaphor for marching forward in life, rather than cowering away.

Where can we buy "Chasing Locusts"?

Well, I’m glad you asked. There is a veritable cornucopia of ways to buy chasing locusts. From our page on Myspace, from iTunes. Our favorite is selling them at shows, so we can meet ya’ll face to face and share a drink and a laugh.

Is there anything you would like to say to our readers?

Friends don’t let friends listen to Toby Keith.
Support independent musicians, and let’s take back country.
Go in peace, pass the bottle.

 

Strawfoot Myspace
Back To Interviews